Download This PaperThe Effect of Public Financing on the Competitiveness of Elections
29 Pages Posted: 7 May 2009
Date Written: May 7, 2009
Abstract
This paper analyzes the effect of public financing on the competitiveness on elections. It shows that states with public financing have more competitive elections in state assembly races than states without. The paper also analyzes the fortunes of those candidates for the Maine House of Representatives who accept public financing in Maine. The results from this analysis show that accepting public financing increases incumbents' vote share by 2 percentage points and challengers' vote share by 3 percentage points.
Keywords: Public Financing, Elections, campaign contributions, campaign expenditures
JEL Classification: D72
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Thomas Stratmann (Contact Author)
George Mason University - Buchanan Center Political Economy ( email )
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George Mason University - Mercatus Center ( email )
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HOME PAGE: http://www.mercatus.org/scholars/thomas-stratmann
CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)
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Germany